14. Ginger
14
GINGER
I barely get my dress zipped back up by the time I make it inside my house—the guest house on my parent’s ranch. I can never forget that, not with my mom lounging on my couch with a glass of wine in hand and a raunchy reality TV show muted on the screen. She reads the closed captions when Gracie’s asleep.
I slip behind her to give her a kiss on her cheek. “Hey, Mom. Gracie in bed?”
“Of course. It’s past ten. What kind of grandmother do you think I am?” The incredulity in her voice is a put on. We both know she’s an excellent grandmother who also loves to spoil her granddaughter by letting her stay up late on the weekends.
“Mm-hmm.”
She catches my arm and looks at me with a little more attention than usual. “Have you been drinking?”
“A little bit. Don’t worry, I didn’t drive home.” I force myself not to squirm under her attention, especially since Jackson’s cum is soaking my panties, my stockings are torn—which was hot as fuck, by the way—and I’ve got the remnants of my own orgasm all over the insides of my thighs.
Mom releases her grip on me, but the way she holds my gaze makes sure I don’t retreat too far. “Those boys certainly like having you as their elf.”
I furrow my brow like I have no idea what she means. “You have to admit that I do make a pretty good elf. I worked wonders for that carnival.”
She nods, allowing me my moment to pretend. “You did an excellent job, my sweet girl.”
I retreat to the kitchen to grab a glass of water, and Mom stands, grabbing her coat and slipping on her boots at the door. Thank God she’s not going to push me to have this conversation with her.
Because I have no idea how to feel about today—other than how great the carnival went over. But I mean, gah , I slept with all three of them today. The three men I’ve been having nasty thoughts and nastier daydreams about.
I must be ovulating or something. Honestly, it felt right in the moment, but they must talk. Damn it. How’s it going to be when I go back to work on Monday?
I down my glass of water and meet my mom at the door. She gives me a strong hug. “Just remember that you were my little elf first. And I will kick their very merry Christmas balls if any of them hurt you. It’s a mother’s prerogative, you know.”
That has me laughing when she releases me. She winks on her way out the door, and I’m so glad to have her for a mom.
But after she leaves and I shower, I curl up in my bed and go back over my day until I fall asleep.
The weekend goes by in a blur of cozy movies and crafts, wrapping presents for Mom and Dad, and checking off those final gifts for my daughter.
By the time Monday morning comes around, I’m way too wrapped up in my own head. I have no idea what to expect when I get to work, but once Gracie is safely inside her school, I don’t have any more ways to put off going into the office.
Even though the carnival is over, I still bring treats to work. I can’t just cut the boys off. Especially since I stress baked all evening yesterday, worried about coming in to work today.
Parking in the driveway, I reapply my red lipstick and gather up all of my confidence, putting it on like armor. The big container of treats gives me a great barrier to keep people at arm’s length. Sauntering inside gives me momentum, and when I swing through the door to see Jackson in his office, I flash a smile at him but don’t linger.
Act normal, Ginger. Act. Normal.
In the kitchen, I stuff the box in the fridge and wipe my hands down my skirt. When I spin around, I find Brenda standing there with her naughty smile and two cups of coffee.
“Girl, you look like you need this.” She hands me the mug, creamed and sugared to perfection. “Actually, you don’t look like you need it. You look like you need to plow through whatever is going on in that high-powered brain of yours.”
I laugh lightly. “Yeah. Too much going on inside right now. Need something to aim it all at. And no more big project to focus on.”
“We usually have a company Christmas potluck. I bet the boys would love to have you take that over.” Brenda takes a deep sip from her own mug and pats the counter with her palm. “I know I would.”
I give her my full grin this time. “Sounds like something I could easily sink my teeth into.”
Excusing myself with my mug, I scamper upstairs to my office, trying not to feel overwhelmed. But, to be honest, I’m feeling a bit disgruntled.
At least the mess I left my office in gives me something to focus on. Cleaning and tidying up takes part of the morning. I also move my desk away from the wall to create a barrier from the door.
I’m avoiding things, and I hate it.
Running a hand through my hair, I pump myself up again. It’s nearly lunchtime. I need to be more proactive.
Returning to the kitchen, I grab my box of treats and start my routine, stopping by to see the girls and Brenda, who all cheer and moan at their first bites of the crème br?lée donuts. Something about experimenting with flavors always brings me joy.
I wink at them all and leave to make my rounds.
Jackson is on his phone when I peek in, but he waves at me with a smile. I circle my finger in the air, meaning I’ll come back to him, and head out the front door. The job sites are bustling with work, but as soon as they see me, everything outside starts to peter to a stop.
The guys swarm, picking out their donuts and making more offers of marriage between moans. I laugh at them. At least this hasn’t changed.
Daniel gives me a big grin and bumps me with his shoulder. “You did a hell of a job with the carnival.”
I offer him one of my more dazzling smiles in return. “Thank you.”
He takes another bite of his donut with a low moan. “And man, this is the shit. If I weren’t already married…”
I push him a little, even though he barely moves. The guys are lingering, eating their treats when Ashley stomps over. His furrowed brow makes me want to reciprocate, but I keep my features pleasant and placid.
Opening the box for him, I say, “Crème br?lée donut?”
His frown has my hackles rising, and when he doesn’t take one, I close the box up again and narrow my eyes.
“All right everyone, back to work.” Ashley shoos everyone away, and I brace for whatever stupid shit he’s about to say.
I raise my brow as the guy chorus another round of thank yous at me.
“You’re distracting everyone.”
I blink at him a few times. “Excuse me?”
His hand circles around my arm as he tips closer. “The flirting when you bring them treats, it’s inappropriate.”
Fury builds like a frenzy in my chest, and I feel my emotions shutter until I can deal with them in private. Sucking in a slow breath, I pull my arm from his grip and walk into the house that’s in-progress.
Son of a bitch thinks my flirting is inappropriate, does he? Well, he can just sit in syrup. I grin and offer donuts to the remaining five workers inside. I don’t find Sawyer anywhere. Usually, he’s tucked away somewhere, engrossed in a custom project.
Well, today is just full of surprises. I swing around to the entrance to find Ashley waiting, arms folded across his chest as he follows my every movement.
Done giving out treats, I flash Ashley a dirty smile, stepping closer in a slow, confident move. His arms drop, features softening as I near the door. I stop and glare at him.
“Ginger…” His voice is rough, but I hold up a hand to stop him.
“Don’t worry, I won’t stick around to distract you.” Flipping my hair, I breeze past him and stomp my way back to the office. Jackson isn’t in his office when I return, which is good. My mood has plummeted in the last ten minutes.
Stuffing the remaining few donuts in the fridge, I grab my lunch and bring it upstairs with me. I need a long bath when I get home to decompress after this.
Because, seriously, what the fuck is Ashley’s problem? If I’d known fucking him would transform him into a jealous asshole, I wouldn’t have crossed that line.
Probably.
This is so messed up.
Leaning back in my comfy office chair, I close my eyes and just breathe.
Until I hear footsteps coming up the stairs. God, now what?
I’m on my feet before Jackson rounds the corner, taking a quick look around. “You changed things around.”
I shrug. “Feeling a bit at loose ends with the carnival over.”
Hovering between him and my desk, I don’t really know what to do. Usually, I’m full of confidence, but I screwed the pooch by screwing all three of my bosses. What the fuck is wrong with me?
Why does everything have to be so awkward now?
But when Jackson meets my gaze, heat spreads from my middle, thawing out all of my worries. I barely blink before he’s stepped into my space, one hand around my waist and one hand in my hair as he lowers his mouth over mine.
I melt against him, grabbing the front of his shirt to kiss him back.